Buggy could run as independent

PADDY Buggy has not ruled out running as an independent candidate in the immenint General Election.

PADDY Buggy has not ruled out running as an independent candidate in the immenint General Election.

Mr Buggy, who is chairperson of the Laois Community Forum, was not selected as a Fine Gael candidate despite receiving the second highest vote among Laois delegates at the FG selection convention.

Mr. Buggy said: "the biggest disappointment in my life was being blocked from standing in this general election even though I had a mandate to do so from the local members of Fine Gael."

Mr Buggy said he was surprised not to be added, as he had himself built up. He said he believed it would be the natural progression when he had received the second highest vote at convention."I wasn't surprised that the party was talking to Padraig Walsh as he has a national profile, but I am disappointed not to have been selected myself."

Fine Gael decided to run Cllr John Moran as Charlie Flanagan's partner and the parties second candidate.

"There is talk now that John Moloney may not run, and this leaves a gap now as I would now that area very well."

Mr Buggy said he had been asked a lot over the last few days if he would run independently. "I'm considering my position and I will decide whether or not to run as an independent in the next two days."

Mr Buggy said, if elected he would not have claimed his travel allowance and he questioned how many other candidates contesting this election would do the same.

"Political parties of all hues have come to be dominated by career politicians who see politics as a business and as a business have allowed themselves to embrace the gravy train of high salaries and expenses.

"Imagine that TDs living within one hour of the Dail claim an allowance to drive there while thousands of lowly paid workers must make their own way to work in Dublin. How many of the candidates contesting this election will forgo claiming this as I had promised to do. From my perspective these politicians have no right to condemn the rest of us to years of financial hardship until they stop milking the system first." he said.

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